Chapter Seven #3
He found her in the kitchen, leaning against the counter staring out the front window.
The condo complex was great, people always out and about.
He knew most of the people in the building and liked all but a few.
He watched her smile turn to a grin as she zoned in on what was happening through the window.
He leaned over, not making a sound and saw his neighbor chasing after his dog.
This was a daily occurrence so Bogs didn’t think much about it but seeing her so amused, he continued to watch.
The dog darted from porch to porch evading his neighbor every time he got close enough to grab his collar.
“Does it every day.”
She whipped her head at him in obvious surprise. “Who?”
Bogs pointed out the window. “Rooney and Bob. It’s like a game.
He lets him off the leash, trying to convince himself this will be the day the dog doesn’t run away.
Sure enough, the dog takes off. Now watch, when he ignores the dog and starts walking away, the dog will chase after him and bounce around until he’s leashed again. ”
“And they do this every day?”
Bogs chuckled. “Yeah.”
“Maybe Bob should take Rooney to obedience school,” Kenzie said, her eyes flashing over him and then to the floor.
Bogs burst out laughing and moved closer to her. “Don’t let Rooney hear ya say that, he might be offended.”
She looked confused with her eyebrows scrunched up. Her nose twitched and he couldn’t help but smirk. Damn, she was cute. Usually, women fell into three categories, beautiful, hot, or cute. Kenzie was a triple threat.
“Bob’s the dog, Rooney’s the owner.”
She turned back to the window and then back to Bogs. Her soft giggle echoed through the kitchen. “He named his dog Bob?”
“Yeah, weird shit.” Bogs shrugged and went to the fridge for a water bottle.
“His dog’s got a normal name and he’s got Rooney, which no one knows for sure if that’s his last name or his first. He’s a cryptic fucker and evades the question every time it’s asked.
” He opened his water and downed a large gulp, capping it and shoving it into his bag.
“Thinking it’s his last. I mean, seriously, how do ya look down at your baby and say, ‘He looks like a Rooney.’”
A soft snicker got his attention. She looked amused. He cocked an eyebrow.
“What?”
She shrugged and grinned. “I don’t know, how does a parent look down at a baby and say ‘he looks like a…” She paused and smirked. “Bogs.’”
Bogs laughed and her smile spread wider across her face.
“Touché, pretty girl. If you’re nice, maybe I’ll tell you how I got my name.
” He winked and reached down for his bag.
“You ready? Not trying to rush ya, but T already called three times. Bastard’s gonna be all over my ass if we don’t get in soon. ”
The brief ease was over and she was back to staring anywhere but in his direction.
He understood where it was coming from. She felt awkward, he got it.
He needed to make this clear for her. He glanced down at his phone.
Fuck, T was gonna have his ass and probably let some of the shit trickle over to Kenzie.
Fortunately, Bogs wouldn’t let that happen.
She turned away and placed the cup in the sink. When she turned around to face him, he was in her space with his hands resting on the counter, caging her in. She glanced up through her lashes. He was staring down at her with his signature smirk in place. He slowly shook his head.
“Here’s what’s gonna happen today. We’re gonna go into my office, I’ll set you up so you can work.
Stone made an early run by your place and got some things.
You work, I’ll work.” The corner of his lip curled.
“If you’re a good girl, I might treat you to lunch.
” He winked. “Then we’ll get things straightened out, hear what Trent’s got on Taylor, and come back here, I’ll make you dinner.
” He twisted his lips. “Okay, that’s bullshit, I don’t cook, but I will order out for us.
” He moved closer until his lips were practically touching hers.
“From there, we’ll see what happens.” He leaned in and kissed her and she let him.
His tongue slid across her bottom lip and she shivered.
He pulled back slightly then kissed her again with a quick peck. It was meant to be sweet. He wanted more but there was no time and he didn’t trust himself to stop.
“Here’s what’s not gonna happen. You’re not gonna pretend what just happened didn’t happen, or that it was some mistake, or some shit you got rolling over in your head.
You don’t want to be in my bed, you just say the word.
You staying here and me keeping you safe doesn’t depend on you fucking me. You don’t want to, just say it.”
He could read her face. It wasn’t hard with her expressive eyes. She bit her lip. She was struggling. Kenzie was not a one-night stand type of girl. If he had to guess, he’d say the only men she’d slept with had been boyfriends.
“Keeping licking those lips, I’m gonna take it as an invite.”
She smiled and rested her head against his chest. “I don’t know you and we just had sex. I’m not usually like that, I swear.”
“Like what?”
“Ya know, sleeping with some random guy I just met. Especially considering the circumstances.”
“Eyes up here, pretty girl.” His hands squeezed her waist urging her to lift her head. It seemed the last thing she wanted to do was look up. With her face shoved into his chest, she obviously preferred hiding.
Slowly, she lifted her head.
“Let me break it down for you, okay.” He sounded serious in his tone but his demeanor was relaxed and laid back.
“Aside from the obvious,” his gaze travelled across her face, down her body slowly and back up to meet her stare, “I like you. A woman who’s willing to take part in a crazy ass scheme to help out her friend, as fucked up as it was, I respect that.
You won’t give her up.” He shrugged. “Respect that too, it shows you’re loyal.
If I were in your spot, I’d have done the same thing. ”
“Should you be telling me this? I mean, aren’t you supposed to be trying to get me to give up Taylor?”
“Yeah, but you won’t. She’s your ride or die, I get it.”
“So, you’re just going to give up looking for her?”
Bogs snickered. “Fuck no. Gotta find her before Dante does.”
“Why are you telling me all this then?”
“’Cause, it’s my way of explaining to you, you never had a chance this morning. Saw something in you--I had to have you. And that goes far beyond your looks, even though I’ll admit, seeing you naked and having you come all over my cock was a life goal of mine.”
Her face heated but not from desire like he’d hoped. Damn, this girl got embarrassed easily.
“We should get going, I think,” she said. She moved to her side and Bogs let her. She was different from other women he’d been with. She was fighting what she wanted. Him. Most women would be vying to stay in his bed, Kenzie was trying to keep out of it.
“Afraid of what might happen if we stay here longer?”
She turned around and looked regretful. “I’m sorry, I just …
that can’t happen again.” She looked up from the floor and her shoulders stretched back.
She looked like someone had shoved a steel rod up her ass.
He refrained from laughing. This was her way of saying no, she didn’t want to be in his bed. Liar.
Most women he dated were as casual about sex as he was. He didn’t sleep with every woman he met but he also didn’t require a relationship. Truthfully, he wasn’t opposed to a serious relationship, he’d just never met anyone who intrigued him enough to get to know more. Until Kenzie.
“Got it. No more sex.” Her reaction was comical. Her eyes widened and she searched around the room. Maybe she thought he’d object. If he had to guess, she almost looked a bit disappointed that he hadn’t. He turned away, holding back his smile. “Let’s go.”
He walked to the front door, listening to her soft footsteps follow.